Flexible tip for transvalvular circulatory support device

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards apparatuses, systems, and methods that may include a blood pump. The blood pump may include a flexible distal tip having a distal end segment, an intermediate segment, and a proximal segment, each segment having various shapes and/or hardness. The blood pump may include a cannula and a can element coupling the flexible distal tip to the cannula.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A blood pump, comprising:
 a flexible distal tip comprising: 
 a distal end segment having a first end and a second end; 
 an intermediate segment having a first end and a second end; and 
 a proximal segment having a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the distal end of the proximal segment adjoins the proximal end of the intermediate segment at a first location, and the distal end of the intermediate segment adjoins the proximal end of the distal end segment at a second location; and 
 wherein the proximal segment has a relatively straight shape from the proximal end of the proximal segment to the distal end of the proximal segment, the intermediate segment has a curved shape from the proximal end of the intermediate segment to the distal end of the intermediate segment, and the distal end segment has a curved shape that overlaps with the intermediate segment but does not extend proximal of the distal end of the proximal segment. 
 
     
     
       2. The blood pump of  claim 1 :
 wherein the proximal segment has a first hardness, and the distal end segment has a second hardness, and 
 wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. 
 
     
     
       3. The blood pump of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible distal tip comprises a polymer. 
     
     
       4. The blood pump of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal segment has a first wall thickness and the distal end segment has a second wall thickness. 
     
     
       5. The blood pump of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal segment is comprised of a first material and the distal end segment is comprised of a second material. 
     
     
       6. The blood pump of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a cannula; and a can element; 
 wherein the can element couples the flexible distal tip to the cannula. 
 
     
     
       7. The blood pump of  claim 6 , wherein the can element comprises a distal component and a proximal component. 
     
     
       8. The blood pump of  claim 6 , wherein the cannula comprises one or more tines, and wherein the one or more tines are coupled to the proximal component of the can element with an adhesive. 
     
     
       9. The blood pump of  claim 6 , wherein the distal tip is coupled to the can element with an adhesive. 
     
     
       10. A method of assembling a blood pump, comprising:
 coupling one or more tines to a cannula; 
 coupling the one or more tines to a proximal component of a can element; 
 coupling a distal component of a can element to the proximal component of the can element; and 
 coupling a flexible distal tip to the distal component of the can element; 
 wherein the distal component of the can element extends distally past a distal end of the tines. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 coupling the distal tip to the can element using an adhesive. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 coupling the distal component to the proximal component using an adhesive. 
 
     
     
       13. A blood pump, comprising:
 a flexible distal tip comprising: 
 a distal end segment having a first end and a second end; 
 an intermediate segment having a first end and a second end; and 
 a proximal segment having a first end and a second end; 
 wherein the distal end of the proximal segment adjoins the proximal end of the intermediate segment at a first location, and the distal end of the intermediate segment adjoins the proximal end of the distal end segment at a second location; 
 wherein the proximal segment has a relatively straight shape defining a longitudinal axis, the intermediate segment has a curved shape, and the distal end segment has a curved shape that overlaps with the intermediate segment but does not extend proximal of the distal end of the proximal segment, and 
 wherein the intermediate segment curves in a first direction away from the longitudinal axis, and the distal end segment curves in a second direction to intersect with the longitudinal axis. 
 
     
     
       14. The blood pump of  claim 13 :
 wherein the proximal segment has a first hardness, and the distal end segment has a second hardness, and 
 wherein the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. 
 
     
     
       15. The blood pump of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible distal tip comprises a polymer. 
     
     
       16. The blood pump of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal segment has a first wall thickness and the distal end segment has a second wall thickness. 
     
     
       17. The blood pump of  claim 13 , wherein the proximal segment is comprised of a first material and the distal end segment is comprised of a second material. 
     
     
       18. The blood pump of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a cannula; and a can element; 
 wherein the can element couples the flexible distal tip to the cannula. 
 
     
     
       19. The blood pump of  claim 18 , wherein the can element comprises a distal component and a proximal component. 
     
     
       20. The blood pump of  claim 18 , wherein the cannula comprises one or more tines, and wherein the one or more tines are coupled to the proximal component of the can element with an adhesive.